Perry yawned. It had been a while since Louise left him to wait for her on the porch. He was getting hot and thirsty, so he decided to cool off. He went ahead and helped himself inside, looking for something to drink.

While Perry rummaged through the house, Louise’s Mother, Ruby, has just bought some of the cutest towels with pink roses at Bed Bath and Beyond. Ruby feels Louise would love them. She also saw some cute little soaps that smell like jasmine and honeysuckle that she also bought.

Perry looks around, stumbling into the bathroom. He finds it cute, and realizes it must be Louise’s because there are tons of her pictures. Unable to resist, he gets one and admires it.

Time slips inexorably by as it always does

He loses track of time, and nearly an hour passes. By now, the picture is all but ruined.

Louise’s Mother arrives home. She takes the things she has bought for Louise and carries them up the stairs into Louise’s room.
Perry doesn’t hear her come in.

She walks into the bathroom to put up the towels and soaps. She sees Perry in his most compromised way.

Ruby Gasps, “Perry What ARE you doing young man!!”

He jumps, blushing, and nearly falls into the shower.

Ruby exclaims, “Put that thing away!!”

The evidence is before her. His mess, all over her favorite picture of Louise

Ruby demands. “Just what do you think you have been doing??”

Blushing,  hiding behind the shower curtain

Perry stammers, “I….I….. I don’t know.”

Ruby is obviously upset and angry

She demands, “I want an explanation young man, and NOW!!

She takes out her cell phone from her pocket … punches in numbers

He panics, “No wait, I can explain! Please don’t report me!”

Ruby hesitates … closes the phone

She snaps, “Ok, Lets hear it.”

He replies haltingly, “I… I came in for some lemonade… I was visiting Louise, and she had to go help a neighbor. It was hot outside, and I got thirsty… I came in, looking for something to drink, when I stumbled in here…. next thing I know…”

He panics and falls to his knees and begs pitifully, “Please, I’m sorry! I lost control! I don’t know what happened! I didn’t even realize I was doing it…”

Ruby can see he is a royal mess. She shakes her head.

Ruby stands firm with a furious look on her face then says “Ok Perry … but I’m going to tell Louise and let her decide what she wants to do.”

He starts to object, but stops. It’s got to be better than jail.

Ruby says, “Clean yourself up and come with me. Bring that disgusting picture with you.”

He nods, and immediately starts cleaning himself and the mess up. His clothes are a little sticky, but otherwise fine. He walks back out, blushing terribly, holding the picture behind his back

She says angrily, “That was my favorite picture of Louise too.”

Perry blushes, looking away, ashamed. He can hear her dialing her cell again

Ruby says, “Louise? I need you to come home now! Yes … something has happened and I want you to know. Ok sweetie right now. Bye.”

He sighs, waiting for his fate. He avoids looking at Ruby. He can feel the fire in her gaze.

the down stairs door opens and slams shut … running foot steps up the stairs approaching the bedroom. He pales. Louise’s back. she comes quickly in

Louise asks, “Mother?! what happened … Perry?? what’s going on?”

Ruby glares at Perry. He blushes and looks over at Louise

She says sharply, “Show her Perry.”

He tentatively walks over and shows her the picture. Louise’s eyes get huge as she gasps. She puts her hand to her mouth and looks at Perry.

She gasps, “Perry … what is this??”

He stammers, “I …..I ….” He looks down blushing. “I…… your picture, I…. I’m sorry.”

Louise exclaims, “That’s disgusting!! And to think I liked you!”

Inside, he’s hitting himself. He now knows he really screwed up.

Ruby says to Perry, “You stay here and don’t move .. you hear me?”

she points at Perry

He nods and say quietly, “Yes ma’am..”